Do Dreams/Fantasies come true...I think so...

tagwex · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:07 am Post subject:

My father worked on a production line that made the Routemaster buses.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:24 am Post subject:

Small world isn't it? Dad's badge started with DD, but don't ask me to recall the number! Rolling Eyes

I think the Routemaster was the bus they refered to as 'the jumper'. I wondered why until the day dad was on a school run and running empty TO the school. He saw me and stopped to give me a lift up a steep hill. Without passengers to weigh it down the damn thing near rattled my fillings out. EVERYTHING was rattling.

It's early memories of the bus depot that left me with a life-long hatred of diesel.

For a while dad drove lorries for the hospitals in the area. It must have been the summer holidays of 1964 (when my sister was born) dad took me with him to Biddulph Grange - then a hospital. While he was unloading the lorry one of his colleagues took me on a guided tour of the abandoned gardens there. It's impressive now, but to a five year old it was magical. I think it's one of the reasons I became a gardener.

tagwex · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:33 am Post subject:

Re the jumper. My theory on that would be that there was no door on the rear left corner and people literally jumped on and off.

Blowin · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:58 am Post subject:

You're quite right Tagwex, but all buses were like that originally, not just the RMs. 1950s London wouldn't have worked as well with modern buses, but the odd accident with people jumping off when the bus was going too fast eventually put an end to it. Thankfully they lasted long enough for Frank Spencer (Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'em) to film his memorable skit on roller skates hanging on the back of one of them.
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kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:26 pm Post subject:

WOW ! Sue. You got in free to Biddulph Grange Smile

That's one garden I must see sometime. That and Holehird.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 2:12 pm Post subject:

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 2:15 pm Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:17 pm Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:20 pm Post subject:

I jumped off of one of those route masters myself when I was young and foolish in Camden Town between stops just to save myself the walk back. Didn't land too well. Didn't do it again either.

Geranimojess · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 4:08 pm Post subject:

I worked on those "Platform" Bus'es when CIE was in full Production...the Chassis would come into Spa Road, Inchicore. and we would fit them out to the finish before going into Service...

Shortly after Van Hool Mc Ardle moved in and took over Production I packed up and went into Security and Cash-in-Transit which took me Country wide and began my love affair with Driving...never looked back...

kindredspirit · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:41 pm Post subject:

Did you keep any of the cash? Smile

Geranimojess · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 6:35 pm Post subject:

Nah...the thought never occurred to me...plenty of overtime and I was like a Kid with a new Toy...was able to put a Deposit on a House and buy myself an oul' Banger...good times... Razz

Geranimojess · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:19 pm Post subject:

Just after landing back to reality with a Bump after spending the last 2 hours in the 60's........Do you remember this lot...its only a fraction of the entire 2 hrs...

1...Chris Andrews...Yesterday Man...
2...Tremeloes...........Silence is Golden...
3..The McCoys.........Hang on Sloopy...
4...Kinks.....................All Day and All of the Night...
5...Them....................Here comes the Night...
6...The Hollies..........I'm Alive..
7...John Fred and his Playboy Band...Judy in Disguise...
8...Lulu...To Sir with love...
9...Rolling Stones...Jumpin' Jack Flash...
10..Yard Birds...For your Love...
11...Seekers...Georgey Girl...
12...The Who ...My Generation...
13...Procol Harum...Whiter Shade of Pale {If you had the same Girl at the end of that Dance you were set up for the Night}

If you want to see R&R at it's very best...see "Rockin' Rollin' Rockabilly Dance" on U Tube...I promise you will not be disappointed...it brings a whole new meaning to Rock and Roll.........Bill Haley, eat your Heart out...

tagwex · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:31 pm Post subject:

Is number 7 a first cousin of Lucy in the sky with diamonds?
Rem most of those.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:08 pm Post subject:

On another site my sister is Georgie Girl and I am Bobby's Girl - who remembers THAT one?

Silence is golden - wow that brings back some memories. Very Happy

They REALLY don't write 'em like that anymore.